Recently in Jacobson Rost Category

Paula Hunsche has joined Jacobson Rost/Chicago as executive media director. She will focus on integrating the agency's growing media capabilities in innovative ways that change how clients' brands relate to consumers.

Hunsche joins Jacobson Rost after serving in an interim managing director, client leadership role at Mindshare, where she was responsible for spearheading the United States communications plans for BP and advising them on key approaches following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident. Previously, she served as a communications architect with Starcom MediaVest Group for more than decade, working on brands such as Kellogg, Allstate and Del Monte.

"We're excited to have Paula join our integrated marketing team, as she brings to the agency a wealth of experience in all facets of strategic media planning, media buying and measurement to deepen our digital capabilities and social media bench strength," said Jerry Flemma, president and chief operating officer for Jacobson Rost.

Nicholas Cialdini has joined Jacobson Rost as an associate creative director and senior copywriter. He reports to chief creative officer Steve Simoncic. Most recently, Cialdini was an associate creative director at Leo Burnett/Chicago, while also managing his own agency, the Neologist, specializing in multi-lingual writing for clients such as Blue Shield of California. For this campaign, he earned an award for "best digital campaign in the Hispanic category" at the Association of National Advertisers' Multicultural Excellence Awards. "Nicholas has made his mark in the advertising work with a strong writing talent for capturing what is inherently honest and sincere about each brand he touches," said Jerry Flemma, president and chief operating officer for Jacobson Rost, which has offices in Chicago and Milwaukee.

Jacobson Rost/Chicago has just completed a new round of advertising for Leinenkugel's, that small but beloved beer brand based in Chippewa Falls, Wis. And the new work -- which includes TV for the first time in a long while -- is everything most beer advertising isn't: simple and honest and engaging and thankfully devoid of any whiff of frat house shtick.

Jacobson Rost chief creative officer Steve Simoncic shot the new ads on a tight budget on location in and around scenic Chippewa Falls. A couple of the Leinenkugel boys -- Jake and John -- are seen in the work talking up the virtues of running a brewery in a place where the daily commute is a glorious walk through the woods. Simoncic said he was aiming for TV work that is "positive and authentic," and he got it. Big time.

To capitalize on recent business growth, Jacobson Rost is moving its headquarters from Sheboygan, Wis., to Milwaukee on May 1. The move will bring 35 jobs to Milwaukee. The agency plans to add another five to 10 employees to its Milwaukee operation over the next 18 months, while continuing to grow its Chicago and Boston offices with the addition of another 20 employees. Jacobson Rost currently employs a staff of 55 creative and marketing professionals.

The agency spent the last five decades headquartered in Sheboygan, but now the headquarters office will be in Milwaukee's Third Ward in the historic Saddlery Building at 233 N. Water St. In conjunction with the move, Jacobson Rost will unveil a new logo and redesigned Web site.

Tom Gorton has joined Jacobson Rost/Chicago as a creative director. Gorton most recently was an associate creative director at DraftFCB/Chicago, where he moved after 13 years at Leo Burnett/Chicago. At Jacobson Rost, Gorton will report to chief creative officer Steve Simoncic. "Tom's veteran sensibilities and versatility working on everything from nationally-acclaimed television commercials to interactive campaigns, in-store programs and all points between are a welcome addition to our creative accounts," said Jerry Flemma, Jacobson Rost president and chief operating officer. Jacobson Rost clients include Azteca Foods, Comcast SportsNet Chicago and the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.

Independent marketing firm Jacobson Rost is expanding its digital capabilities with the appointment of Nor Sanavongsay as director of creative technology. Sanavongsay will report to J/R Chief Creative Officer Steve Simoncic in the agency's Chicago office. "Nor will be a critical player to helping our clients drive their digital efforts forward," said Jerry Flemma, president and chief operating officer for Jacobson Rost.

Previously, Sanavongsay was a senior front-end engineer with Peak6 Investments, where he was responsible for Web development and user interface of the company's retail sites. He previously held position with Sears Holdings Corp., First Health and Thinktank LLC. With offices in Chicago; Sheboygan, Wis., and Boston, Jacobson Rost's client roster includes Azteca Foods, Boss Snowplow, Carl Buddig & Co. and Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

A veteran of Chicago's ad industry, Steve Simoncic has been named chief creative officer of Jacobson Rost. In his new position, Simoncic will manage the overall creative product and the creative teams in the agency's two principal offices in Chicago and Sheboygan, Wis. He will be primarily based in the Chicago office.

Previously, Simoncic was chief creative officer at PEAK6 Energie, the marketing division of PEAK6 Investments, where he helped establish the financial services firm's branding division. Prior to PEAK6 Energie, Simoncic was a senior vice-president and creative director at Leo Burnett/Chicago, where he was employed for 15 years and worked on accounts ranging from Disney to Coca-Cola and Hallmark Cards.

"These days more than ever it takes much more than just a great creative idea to make an impact for our clients," said Jerry Flemma, president and chief operating officer for Jacobson Rost. Added Flemma: "It takes the considerable ability to fuse creativity with useful ideas that uniquely connect with people to make a positive impact in their everyday lives; Steve has a track record doing just that." In his spare time. Simoncic plays in a band and writes plays.